carboxylic acid

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Explanation of "Carboxylic Acid"

Definition: A carboxylic acid is a type of organic acid that has one or more carboxyl groups. A carboxyl group is a part of a molecule that contains both a carbon atom and two oxygen atoms (one of which is bonded to a hydrogen atom). This structure gives carboxylic acids their acidic properties.

Advanced Usage

• In advanced discussions, you might talk about the properties of carboxylic acids, such as their ability to donate protons (H+) in chemical reactions, or their role in biochemical processes like metabolism.

Word Variants

• Carboxyl (adjective/noun): Referring to the carboxyl group itself.
• Carboxylate (noun): The salt or ester derived from a carboxylic acid.

Different Meanings

"Carboxylic acid" specifically refers to the chemical category of compounds, so it does not have multiple meanings like some other words in English.

Synonyms

• Organic acid (broad term that includes carboxylic acids)
• Acetic acid (specific example of a carboxylic acid)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "carboxylic acid," as it is a technical term in chemistry.

Summary

In summary, "carboxylic acid" is a scientific term for a specific type of acid with a carboxyl group.

Academic

Noun

1. an organic acid characterized by one or more carboxyl groups